John --
Check out Medford. Courtney and I were paying $1250/month including utilities for a 2+ bedroom, 1 bath, about 800 sq.ft.
we moved to a bigger place in Melrose for the same price. 2 bedroom with full kitchen, fire place, 1 bath, basement storage, parking, large front porch, about 1200 sq.ft. in a really nice neighborhood.
There are deals out there. The deals are NOT in Belmont or Cambridge. You'll be lucky to find a nice studio in Cambridge for less than $1000/month.
Check out Newton, Brookline, Watertown, Medford, Woburn, Stoneham, Waltham, Quincy, Malden, Melrose, or Winchester. Those areas are "once-removed" from Boston and you get a lot more for your money. Especially in the "Ms"
Good luck!